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Recommendations for honest autobiographies

61 replies

sunshinechaser · 26/12/2024 09:48

I'm looking to get stuck into a good read over the holidays and would love a recommendation for an autobiography you loved. I haven't really read many autobiographies but I when I find an 'honest' one I really love it.
I don't really have any favourite celebs that I'd like to read as some of the ones I've enjoyed I didn't know much about them before I started.
I've read and enjoyed these so far-
Michelle Obama (though made me feel inadequate as a human 😂 )
Alan Cummings
Kevin Hart
Richard E Grant
Janette McCurdy (more of a memoir)

Any more recommendations?

OP posts:
Dfg15 · 26/12/2024 09:50

I read Patrick Stewarts autobiography, Make it So, last year. Loved it, very entertaining

Creepybookworm · 26/12/2024 09:54

Just Ignore Him by Alan Davies. More of a memoir about how he was effected by his mother's death and his father's subsequent sexual abuse.

MushroomBrioche · 26/12/2024 09:54

Rick Astley, Anthony Kiedis, Jo Malone, Michael Palin diaries

Creepybookworm · 26/12/2024 09:56

Oh and My Family by David Baddiel. About his parents who were very odd! It is very funny.

Cocolapew · 26/12/2024 09:58

I'm not a fan of either, but both Elton Johns and Stings are very good.

AmateurNoun · 26/12/2024 10:00

Never Have Your Dog Stuffed by Alan Alda. I'm not a big fan of him or anything (I have only seen him in a couple of things), but it's the best autobiography that I have read I can recall. Very honest and amusing.

CrossPurposes · 26/12/2024 10:13

Two contrasting lives

Open by Andre Agassi
First Time Ever by Peggy Seeger

deeahgwitch · 26/12/2024 10:28

@sunshinechaser You're not alone in your reaction - "....made me feel inadequate as a human..." to Michelle Obama's autobiography.

Me too. Smile

saltysandysea · 26/12/2024 10:33

Matthew Perry's Friends, Lovers and the big terrible thing is a very good & honest account of his life.

sunshinechaser · 26/12/2024 10:43

These are great-thanks everyone!

OP posts:
MamaNewtNewt · 26/12/2024 11:18

Elton John and Miriam Margolyes, both very funny and honest.

Aworldofmyown · 26/12/2024 11:22

Educated - Tara Westover
Lisa Marie Presley
Alan Davies

sunshinechaser · 26/12/2024 12:08

Thanks all. Forgot I had read Educated. It was excellent and disturbing at the same time.
I started Miriam Morgolyes' but gave up after a few chapters. I'll maybe give it another go.
I'll try Elton John and Alan Davies I think. Also fancy the Matthew Perry one as I loved Friends so much.

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Bjorkdidit · 26/12/2024 16:45

I haven't read it yet but Jenny Éclair's memoir is 99 p on kindle today.

frockandcrocs · 26/12/2024 16:50

I loved Tim Peake's, he's a surprisingly funny guy, and has had such an interesting career!

Heartbreaktuna · 26/12/2024 17:54

Creepybookworm · 26/12/2024 09:56

Oh and My Family by David Baddiel. About his parents who were very odd! It is very funny.

Another vote for this. The audio book was so good I bought the physical book too!

sunshinechaser · 26/12/2024 20:55

@Heartbreaktuna oh you're really selling it! I'm going to get it-sounds great.

OP posts:
Terpsichore · 26/12/2024 22:36

I also agree with Heartbreaktuna - I read My Family recently and was simultaneously agog in disbelief and bursting out laughing uncontrollably. It’s very, very funny but also extraordinary.

Ilovemyshed · 26/12/2024 23:44

Dear Dodie by Valerie Groves

gettingolderbutcooler · 26/12/2024 23:50

Minnie Driver's was good.

LimeYellow · 27/12/2024 07:36

Delicacy by Katy Wix

MerleandBianca · 27/12/2024 07:48

How Not to be a Boy by Robert Webb is absolutely honest and wonderful, also hugely enjoyed Hungry by Grace Dent - funny and sad.

Ladylangstrand · 27/12/2024 07:50

American Prince by Tony Curtis was good.

deeahgwitch · 27/12/2024 09:26

Poor by Katriona O' Sullivan
She had such a terrible childhood and yet triumphed over adversity.
A powerful read.

I found it difficult at times to read as I was so angry with her parents for their neglect and irresponsibility.
No doubt there are other children going through similar and worse, now, which is utterly heartbreaking.

Mooetenchante · 27/12/2024 10:36

Verse, Chorus, Monster by Graham Coxon.
An interesting read if you're in any way interested in blur or music in the 90s. He's done a lot of varied stuff . He's a very similar age to me and I liked seeing the photos of him as a 6th former, reminded me of arty friends I had at the time.

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